Evolutionary Biologist

My research centres on elucidating evolutionary processes, including hybridisation, lineage diversification, and functional trait evolution, through an integrative framework that combines molecular systematics with detailed morphological and biogeographical analyses, informed by open-source practices and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles. By leveraging these complementary data streams, I investigate the evolutionary history and adaptations of plants, aiming to uncover fundamental patterns that advance evolutionary theory, taxonomy, and conservation actions.

Doctor of Philosophy

Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Emphasis in Global Change Biology

Boise, Idaho, USA

2025 - 2020

Boise State University

Doctoral Advisors: Sven Buerki Committee: Martin W. Callmander, James Smith, and Stephen Novak

Dissertation: Understanding tropical plant evolution through hybridization and adaptive introgression: a case study of Pandanaceae

Master of Science

Biology
Emphasis in Plants

Boise, Idaho, USA

2020 - 2018

Boise State University

Major Advisor: Sven Buerki Committee: James Smith and Stephen Novak Thesis: A metanalysis of sequences of vascular plants in the world’s biodiversity hotspots with a special section on Madagascar

Honors Bachelors of Science

Marine Biology and Microbiology (Dual Degree)

Corvallis, Oregon, USA

2016 - 2011

Oregon State University

Honors Advisor: Byron C. Crump Committee: Fiona Tomas Nash and Ryan Mueller Thesis: Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics of the leaf-and root-associated microbiomes of Zostera marina and Zostera japonica Minors in French and Chemistry

Doctoral Research

Boise State University, Sven Buerki’s Lab (In-Person); Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève, Martin W. Callmander’s Lab (Remote)

Boise, Idaho, USA; Geneva, Switzerland

Present - 2020

• Investigating the evolutionary history of Pandanaceae

EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant

Boise State University, Sven Buerki’s Lab

Boise, Idaho, USA

2022 - 2020

• Provider of bioinformatics programming support for the GEM3 project in Sven Buerki’s lab
• Developed bioinformatics tools for the GEM3 community

Master of Science Research

Boise State University, Sven Buerki’s Lab

Boise, Idaho, USA

2020 - 2017

• Investigated the reproducibility of collections and DNA sequences in biodiversity hotspots
• Went on expedition to Madagascar with Sven Buerki to survey forest

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Oregon State University, Byron Crump’s Lab

Corvallis, Oregon, USA

2016 - 2013

• Investigated the microbiome of Zostera marina and Zostera japonica
• Collected samples on research cruises off the Oregon coast, on the Columbia River, and in the Arctic Ocean

Undergraduate Research Intern

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish Health Services, Leslie Lindsay’s Lab

Corvallis, Oregon, USA

Winter 2012

• Dissected juvenile Pacific Salmon to remove kidneys for ELISA analysis

Undergraduate Research Intern

Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center, Itchung Cheung’s Lab

Newport, Oregon, USA

Spring 2012 - Winter 2011

• Enumerated fish eggs

#6 Pandanus Plastomes Decoded: When Climate Mirrors Morphology and Phylogenetic Relationships

American Journal of Botany. 111:e16461. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.16461

St. Louis, Missouri, USA

2025

Wojahn JMA, Callmander MW, Buerki S

#5 Update on the phylogenetic framework of Malagasy angiosperms

In S. M. Goodman (ed.), The new natural history of Madagascar, pp. 464-470.
Princeton University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2ks6tbb.58

Princeton, New Jersey, USA

2022

Wojahn JMA, Callmander MW, Lowry PP, Buerki S

#4 Sapindaceae

In S. M. Goodman (ed.), The new natural history of Madagascar, pp. 685-690.
Princeton University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2ks6tbb.84

Princeton, New Jersey, USA

2022

Buerki S, Philipson P, Lowry PP, Wojahn JMA, Andriambololonera S, Callmander MW

#3 Meta-Analysis Reveals Challenges and Gaps for Genome-to-Phenome Research Underpinning Plant Drought Response

International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022, 23(20), 12297 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012297

Basel, Switzerland

2022

Melton AE, Galla SJ, Dumanguit CD, Wojahn JMA, Novak S, Serpe M, Martinez P, Buerki S

#2 G2PMineR:A Genome to Phenome Literature Review Approach

Genes. 12:293 https://doi.org/10.3390/genes12020293

Basel, Switzerland

2021

Wojahn JMA, Galla SJ, Melton AE, Buerki S

#1 Metatranscriptomics and Amplicon Sequencing Reveal Mutualisms in Seagrass Microbiomes

Frontiers in Microbiology. 2018 9:388 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.00388

Lausanne, Switzerland

2018

Crump BC, Wojahn JMA, Tomas F, Mueller RS

Teaching Assistant, Doctoral

Introductory Cell and Molecular Biology Lab Instructor at Boise State University. Link to positive teaching reviews

Boise, Idaho, USA

Present - 2022

Designed and Implemented G2PMineR Lab Section

Developed a new lab section for BIOL 304 Evolution and Ecology course at Boise State University based on the G2PMineR literature review package that will be made publicly available on the GEM3 website. Supervised by Sarah Dalrymple and implemented by Leonora Bittleston.

Boise, Idaho, USA

2021-2023

EPSCoR GEM3 Summer Academic Research Experience Mentor

Instructor of R and Laboratory Techniques for EPSCoR GEM3 Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) Class at Boise State University

Boise, Idaho, USA

Summer 2021

Vertically Integrated Projects Mentor

Instructor of R and Data Mining Techniques for Sven Buerki’s Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) course at Boise State University

Boise, Idaho, USA

Spring 2021

EPSCoR Research Technician 2/Bioinformatics Instructor

Instructor of R and Data Mining Techniques for Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) Class at Boise State University

Boise, Idaho, USA

Summer 2020

Teaching Assistant, Masters

Introductory Cell and Molecular Biology Lab Instructor at Boise State University. Link to positive teaching reviews

Boise, Idaho, USA

2020 - 2018

Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate

Assisted in teaching introductory French to 7th grade students at Cheldelin Middle School

Corvallis, Oregon, USA

2015 - 2013

University Honors College DeLoach Work Scholarship

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon, USA

2014

• $1000

Award for Excellence in Teaching (Graduate Teaching Assistant)

Won the Department of Biological Sciences excellence in graduate teaching award for 2024.

Boise, Idaho, USA

2024

Dean’s Scholar, College of Arts and Sciences

Won the Dean’s Scholar prize for the 2024 Graduate Showcase.

Boise, Idaho, USA

2024

Fellow of the Linnean Society of London

A learned society dedicated to the study and dissemination of information concerning natural history, evolution, and taxonomy, founded in 1788.

Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, UK

Elected 2024

Full Member of Sigma Xi (ΣΞ)

Scientific Research Honour Society, founded in 1886.

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA

Elected 2023

Upcoming conference honoring Chris Davidson

Co-organizer of the conference.

Boise, Idaho, USA

TBD 2025

Plastome phylogenetic analysis of Pandanus Parkinson: insights into adaptations and taxonomic recommendations

Poster for 2024 BSU Graduate Showcase

Boise, Idaho, USA

2024

Wojahn JMA, Callmander MW, Smith JF, Novack S, Pierce J, Buerki S

Bi-Organellar Phylogenomics of Pandanus (Pandanaceae) Sheds New Light into a Future Improved Infrageneric Classification and Ecological Processes

Poster for 2023 BSU Graduate Showcase

Boise, Idaho, USA

2023

Wojahn JMA, Callmander MW, Smith JF, Novack S, Buerki S

Research and classroom implementation of G2PMineR: a novel genome to phenome literature review approach

Poster for 2022 NSF EPSCoR GEM3 Annual Meeting

Boise, Idaho, USA

2022

Wojahn JMA, Dalrymple S, Bittleston L, Callmander MW, Buerki S

Testing the Reproducibility of Collection and Sequencing Efforts for the Biodiversity Hotspot Flora and Producing a Phylogeny of the Pandanaceae to Assess Evolutionary Distinctiveness and Risk of Extinction

Poster for 2021 Graduate Proposal Showcase

Boise, Idaho, USA

2021

Wojahn JMA, Callmander MW, Smith J, Novack S, Buerki S

G2PMineR: A genome to phenome literature review approach

Poster for 2020 GEM3 Annual Meeting

Boise, Idaho, USA

2020

Wojahn JMA, Galla SJ, Buerki S

Developing a rapid plant community survey for use in biodiversity hotspots

Poster for the Forum on Biodiversity of Global Hotspots

Boise, Idaho, USA

2018

Wojahn JMA, Buerki S

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) Global

Member of the Global chapter of oSTEM, a non-profit professional association for LGBTQ+ people in the STEM community.

Global

2024-ongoing

Some woody plants of the Boise River/Algunas plantas leñosas del río Boise/Quelques plantes ligneuses de la rivière Boise

Wrote trilingual guide to some of the woody plants of the Boise River for a nature walk hosted by Project Scientia, a multilingual public science dissemination organization.
https://tinyurl.com/2s3pb26c

Boise, Idaho, USA

2023

Summer Authentic Research Experience (SARE) Mentor

Mentored minority and first-generation undergraduates

Boise, Idaho, USA

Summer 2021

Summer Authentic Research Experience (SARE) Mentor

Mentored minority and first-generation undergraduates

Boise, Idaho, USA

Summer 2020

Plant Identification For People With Visual Impairments

Posted an accessible guide on plant identification for people with visual impairments
https://tinyurl.com/5ee7kp63

Boise, Idaho, USA

2019

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) Oregon State University chapter

Undergraduate member of oSTEMatOSU, a non-profit student association for LGBTQ+ people in the STEM community.

Corvallis, OR, USA

2011-2016

Member of the Student Advisory Board for Inclusive Leadership

Served on the Student Advisory Board for Inclusive Leadership paid for by the NSF GOLD-EAGER grant, representing the Department of Biological Sciences.

Boise, Idaho, USA

2024

President

Events & Research Association

Boise, Idaho, USA

Fall 2023

Club to foster professional, social, and scholarly development among advanced undergraduate and graduate students primarily of the Anthropology, Biology, BMOL (Biomolecular Sciences), EEB (Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior), Geosciences, and HES (Human Environment Systems) programs at Boise State University.

Vice President

Ecological Research Association

Boise, Idaho, USA

2019-2020

Department of Biological Sciences graduate student social and professional development association

NESS

The Nexus for Empowered Student Societies (NESS) is a forum aims to provide a space for officers of student-led organizations to share their insights in posts called “Nessies”. Link here

Boise, Idaho, USA

2024

Muddiest Points AnalyzeR Webtool

Muddiest Points AnalyzeR uses heuristics and random sampling to create an input file of muddiest points that a generative artificial intelligence (such as ChatGPT) can parse and synthesise into a list. The input file is not human-readable but is machine-readable. ChatGPT had a character limit that is based on the complexity of the query it is being asked. Muddiest Points AnalyzeR creates a response whose word limit is below that warranted by its complexity, as estimated through trial and error.
Link here

Boise, Idaho, USA

2024

G2PMineR

A free and open-source literature mining tool developed specifically for G2P research.
This R package uses automation to make the G2P review process efficient
and unbiased, while also generating hypothesised associations
between genes and phenotypes within
a taxonomical framework. Link here

Boise, Idaho, USA

ongoing-2021

SoilsSeeR

SoilSeeR: An R Package to Easily Access the FAO-UNESCO Digital Soil Map of the World (0.1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11068926

Boise, Idaho, USA

2022

Kew_WCoUP_ProcessoR

An R package that extracts and sorts information from the “Kew World Checklist
of Useful Plants”, which is available only in PDF format. Link here

Boise, Idaho, USA

2022

MyLab Suite

An automatic lab manager program (written in R Shiny) and a digital lab notebook
program (written in C). Available, but not maintained and may no longer be stable.

Boise, Idaho, USA

2018

Boating Safety Certificate (Boating License)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, USA

2021

Approved by NASBLA, USCG, and Transport Canada, valid in USA and Canada

Multi-Passenger Van Training

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho, USA

2018

Notary Public Training

Secretary of State, State of Idaho

Boise, Idaho, USA

2017

DAN Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries

Certified by Divers Alert Network

Boise, Idaho, USA

2011

EFR-Primary Care (CPR) & Secondary Care (1st Aid)

Certified by Dive Magic, Inc.

Boise, Idaho, USA

2010

American Red Cross Swimming Training

Instructor: Annie Endo

Misawa AFB, Aomori Prefecture, Japan

1998

Tailoring

Skilled at modification and construction of formalwear and other garments, as well as mascot, cosplay, and Halloween costumes.

Boise, Idaho, USA

2016-Present

Bonsai

Member of the American Bonsai Society, focusing on the use of trees indiginous to North America.

Boise, Idaho, USA

2005-Present

5th Generation Scrimshander (only on artificial materials)

5th generation scrimshander (4th: PM Wojahn neé Houghton b. 1958, 3rd: WW Houghton b. 1925, 2nd: CH Houghton b. 1885, 1st: JE Houghton b. 1857).

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, USA

2000-Present